The purpose of fixed orthodontic treatment is having beautiful and healthy teeth and if you are wearing fixed appliances, then your teeth are at high risk of caries. Therefore, choosing the right toothpaste and mouthwash is vital for the health of your teeth during the orthodontic treatment. Regarding the variety of the toothpastes and mouthwashes available in the market, choosing the perfect one may seem difficult. But if you consider the effective ingredients of these products, your choice will become more limited and accurate.
Actually, your orthodontic specialist cannot control the health and the hygiene of your teeth constantly. So, your cooperation with the orthodontist and also maintaining the mouth and dental hygiene during the orthodontic treatment is one of the most important factors which leads to the best possible results from the fixed orthodontic treatment.
The importance of choosing the best toothpaste and mouthwash
There are various species of microbes and bacteria in our oral cavity which damage the tooth enamel and cause dental decay by producing acid. This damage worsens when the necessary foods for bacteria become available on the teeth. One of the best ways to prevent this kind of damage is using the best toothpaste and mouthwash.
As you cannot remove the fixed orthodontic appliances from the mouth after installation and during the day, the possibility of food getting stuck between the brackets increases. Poor brushing can leave food stuck between teeth and braces over long periods and this leads to cavities. Also, learning brushing and flossing techniques during the fixed orthodontic treatment is necessary. You should acquire proper techniques of brushing during the orthodontic treatment and control the microbial agents and the stuck food particles in a proper manner.
Using fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes during the fixed orthodontic treatment, will clean your teeth and prevent decay as well as maintaining the overall health of your mouth. It also prevents the formation of mouth ulcers (aphthae).
The fixed orthodontic treatment causes the teeth to turn yellow and this is one of the most common problems which the patients experience during the treatment. Using fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes make your teeth look whiter and more beautiful by removing plaque as well as preventing decay. You might think that using mouthwash not containing chlorhexidine along with fluoride toothpaste can be an effective and strong combination. But consider that mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine can cause discoloration of the teeth and they will become slightly yellow. Therefore, it is highly recommended that patients with fixed orthodontic appliances use mouthwashes not containing chlorhexidine.
How to choose the right toothpaste and mouthwash for the fixed orthodontic treatment?
Fortunately, today various toothpastes can be found in drugstores, each having specific and exclusive features. All of them can be a good option, from anti-plaque toothpastes to multi-purpose and specialized toothpastes. You can seek the advice of your orthodontist before choosing the right toothpaste for fixed orthodontic appliances.
Another factor which can be important for the health of your teeth during the treatment is using mouthwashes not containing chlorhexidine. As you might know, brushing and flossing during the fixed orthodontic treatment is different from normal brushing and flossing.
Usually, you cannot remove all food particles and plaque from the surface of your teeth by brushing. Mouthwash solutions move freely in all parts of your mouth and will strengthen your teeth because of having fluoride and zinc as well as cleaning the teeth. Also, some mouthwashes are antimicrobials and can help keep teeth and gums healthy. The use of chlorhexidine mouthwash is strictly prohibited during the fixed orthodontic treatment.